On Baby Stephen's Jaundice

Same old story. I am an O+ and baby Stephen is A+... just like with Sean as a newborn.

Baby Stephen was diagnosed on his 2nd day with neonatal jaundice because our blood types were incompatible. Just on his 2nd day where usually it takes 3 or 4 days to diagnose jaundice. So it was a little severe on his part.

On our 3rd day in the hospital, my obstetrician hinted that I may be able to go home that day, unfortunately due to Stephen's jaundice, we stayed for 2 more days at the hospital.

Upon discharge, I paid almost 32,000 Thai Baht total amount for both mom and son hospitalization. I am thankful that I chose a government hospital otherwise it could have been more than 50 thousand baht if in a private hospital.  Before discharge, the pediatrician talked to me and let me choose to go or to stay as baby's bilirubin is still a little above normal although lower than the previous days, so they won't put him into phototherapy for now..but it's in my discretion if I will discharge the baby or let him stay for another day. I opted discharge with the condition that in 2 days we have to go back and check his bilirubin again.

We were so happy that we were able to go home with the baby. Before going home, I had to buy a blanket and a baby suit for stephen as there is no free suit (unlike in private hospitals).

So after 2 days, we went back and had another blood test done for Stephen. Result was a little lower higher than the day of the discharge but not too high as to undergo phototherapy again. We were allowed to go home but return after 2 days again.

On the 9th day, we went back to the hospital, same procedure done...I paid another 130 baht for the blood test, had to wait for the result for almost an hour. The result was the bilirubin is getting low but hematocrit count is lower than in normal newborn babies. I was worried, scared that baby maybe anemic or has a worse case. We again were told to go back on Monday (after 3 days).

Last Monday, 12th day of baby Stephen, we returnedto the hospital and same procedure done but this time, we were discharged! Hurray for baby Stephen and glory to God's amazing healing power!!!

I was so happy and relieved. God is really wonderful!